The official opening of Bridge 47 at Mangamahu on Monday, May 25, was a celebration for the whole community.

Since the original bridge collapsed in the July 2006 flood, residents from the local community have been looking forward to a permanent replacement (a temporary Bailey Bridge has been in place since August 2006). On Monday the community joined Mayor Michael Laws, Members of Parliament Chester Borrows and Rick Barker and district councillors to declare the new bridge open.

Pictured right are (from left) Mayor Laws, Wanganui Rural Community Board Chair Andy Collins, Whanganui MP Chester Borrows and John Maihi.

After a blessing of the bridge by John Maihi, the youngest Mangamahu residents at the ceremony - Grace, aged 10, and Angus, aged 13 - helped Mayor Laws to cut the ribbon. All those present then walked across the new bridge (pictured left).

The bridge is the first network arch bridge to be built in New Zealand and is an amazing engineering feat. It will provide a spectacular and permanent link to the remote valley community.

More than 19,000 people voted in Referendum '09 - a record turn-out for Wanganui referenda.

Voting by 61% of the electoral roll represents a huge turnout, prompting Mayor Michael Laws to describe this latest referendum as "a fantastic and decisive exercise in local democracy".

"The results are decisive and overwhelming. They express unequivocal choices that no individual or organisation can possibly ignore. They provide both myself and my council with an exceptional mandate."

Results of Referendum '09 were:

Which spelling would you prefer for our city and district?

Should the Visitor Information Centre be relocated to Moutoa Quay/Riverfront?

Should a small levy be imposed upon all businesses and households for the purpose of promoting Wanganui nationally - as a residence and a place to visit?

Should the council sell Energy Direct, the retail trading arm of Wanganui Gas?

Should council transfer ownership of part or all of its pensioner housing complexes?

Which average rate increase for 2009/10 do you consider to be in the best interest of our community?

Referendum website

The following arrangements will be observed by the Wanganui District Council on Queen's Birthday Observance Day. However, for urgent matters you can contact us at any time on (06) 349 0001.

Municipal Office Building
Closed

i-Site Visitor Information Centre
Open 9.00am to 3.00pm

District Library
Closed Monday

Sarjeant Gallery
Open 10.30am to 4.30pm

Whanganui Regional Museum
Open 10.00am to 4.30pm

Royal Wanganui Opera House
Closed Monday

Recycling
The 'SaveMart' Wanganui Recycling Centre in Peat Street, opposite the netball courts, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to take your cardboard, newspapers, plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminium cans, steel cans and textiles. Free drop-off.

Attention is also drawn to the After Hours Services listed in the Telephone Directory under "Wanganui District Council".

Time is running out to apply for a rates rebate for the 2008/09 year. Applications close at the end of June.

The income threshold for rates rebate is $21,180 and the maximum allowable rebate is $530.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• the ratepayer's income for the previous tax year (year ended 31 March 2008)
• the amount of rates (both Wanganui District Council & Horizons Regional Council)
• the number of dependents

To assist you with your application, please bring in the following:

• evidence of all gross income for the tax year ended 31 March 2008 (this includes income from interest)
• your Wanganui District Council rates assessment for 2008/09
• your Horizons Regional Council rates assessment for 2008/09

Ratepayers need to apply to the Wanganui District Council for a rates rebate. Those who are eligible will then either have their rates reduced by the amount of the rebate, or receive a refund if the rates have been paid in full for the year. The Department of Internal Affairs reimburses the Council from Crown funds.

The Rating Information Database is available for public inspection as per Section 28 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

The Rating Information Database contains a record of all information required for setting and assessing rates and allows for the calculation of rates liability for each rating unit.

The database is available for viewing between 8.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, at the Council office, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Wanganui District Council has prepared a Draft Reserve Management Plan for Virginia Lake and interested parties are invited to lodge written submissions.

The vision statement for Virginia Lake is that 'the reserve's outstanding scenic and park-like characteristics provide for the well-being and enjoyment of the people of Wanganui, and visitors to the District, while at the same time supporting a high value habitat for wildlife within the Wanganui urban area'.

The objectives of the Draft Reserve Management Plan relate to:

• Administration
• Landscape management and protection
• Wildlife management and protection
• Cultural resources/heritage
• Recreational access, use and activities
• Facilities, structures and paths
• Information, promotion and education
• Community relationships

The Draft Virginia Lake Reserve Management Plan may be inspected at the Wanganui District Council offices during normal office hours (8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday) or go to this page. Please contact Kathryn Barnes, phone (06) 349 0001 ext 8400, if you have any questions about the plan.

Any person may make a submission on the draft reserve management plan. You may do so by sending a written submission to the Virginia Lake Reserve Management Plan, Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui. Copies of the submission form are available from the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Submissions close at 4.00pm on Friday, 31 July 2009.

The NZ Geographic Board's formal consultation period for the proposed change of spelling from Wanganui to Whanganui is from 14 May 2009 to 17 August 2009.

Members of the public have three months to make submissions supporting or objecting to the proposed name change. If a person objects to the proposal, they can suggest an alternative proposal or support the existing name.

Written submissions can be made by email, fax or post and sent to:
Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa
c/- Land Information New Zealand
160 Lambton Quay
Private Box 5501
Wellington 6145
New Zealand
Fax: (04) 460 0112
Email: nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz

Further information about the submissions process can be found on the NZ Geographic Board website at www.linz.govt.nz.

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Accountant
Applications close 29 May 2009

Deputy Infrastructure Manager
Applications close 21 June 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Thursday, June 4 (1.00pm)
- Hearing of 10-Year Plan Submissions.

Hearings Committee – Friday, June 5 (1.30pm, Committee Room 2)
- Resource Consent Application – Collegiate School Flood Lighting of Sports Facilities.

Council – Monday, June 8 (1.00pm)
- The Council will deliberate on submissions to the 10-Year Plan, consider the reports from Committee meetings held in May and Reports Direct to Council.

Youth Committee – Monday, June 15

Hearings Committee – Thursday, June 18 (3.00pm, Committee Room 2)
- Earthquake Prone Buildings Policy – Consideration of Submissions

The Council meetings scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, and Tuesday, June 9, are no longer required and have been cancelled.

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.